Explaining Both Of Big Show’s Exits From WWE In 2006 & 2020
Sebastian Wright
Published Mar 27, 2026
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The Big Show is a WWE legend, and it felt as though he was a WWE lifer once he joined all the way back in 1999. Many fans will now know that he is no longer in WWE, after parting ways in 2020, but there is also a lesser known exit, in which he was absent from the company between 2006 and 2008. He will no doubt earn a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame down the line, even though has left the place that helped to create his legacy on two occasions. There were a few reasons as to why his two WWE exits came about, with the end of his run in 2020 being especially nuanced.
Big Show’s Up And Down Career Led Him To ECW, Where He Would Suffer Some Injuries
After initially making a name for himself in WCW, winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on two occasions, he joined WWE in 1999. He was initially pushed to be a big star, which is understandable given his superhuman size and incredible athleticism for someone of his stature. He would even be a part of the WrestleMania main event in 2000, just a year after his debut. However, this would be a high point for him as things began going downhill.
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Like many larger competitors, such as The Great Khali and others, Big Show was saddled with some comedic gimmicks and feuds, with things going from bad to worse as he was sent back down to developmental before the year closed due to poor fitness. From there, things went up and down for a few years, with him going from the Hardcore Title scene to the main event scene, winning the WWE Championship from Brock Lesnar, and then going back to poor comedy bits like facing Akebono in a Sumo Match at WrestleMania 21.
Following a tag team run alongside Kane, Big Show found himself drafted over to the newly revamped ECW brand, quickly rising to the top by besting RVD to become ECW Champion, in a stark contrast to what the brand was supposed to represent. He reigned all the way from July to December, when Bobby Lashley was crowned the new ECW Champion. Over those few months, Big Show had picked up an array of different injuries which led him to missing two months of in-ring time. In a surprising move, WWE issued a statement on their website which was a mixture of kayfabe and real-life to announce that he was taking time away.
Big Show Left WWE Due To Injury And Kayfabe Emotional Damage
On December 6th, WWE posted a statement on WWE.com, stating that, “The World’s Largest Athlete had made his life’s biggest decision, and for now, WWE and ECW will be without a giant,” before further explaining that Show’s loss of the ECW Championship to Lashley had caused emotional strain, and that he was also dealing with many niggling injuries, so he needed to take some time off.
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Overall, the statement made sure to paint Show as a monster who was fighting through injuries that most normal people wouldn’t be able to stand, with it seeming as though Show would just come back after a while, given that this statement was delivered in a very kayfabe manner, and ensuring to keep him strong. However, in February, his contract expired and he left WWE. He would wrestle one match in his time away, taking on Hulk Hogan in which they re-enacted the famous "body-slam" spot, before returning in 2008.
Big Show Was Creatively Frustrated In 2020, So He Left WWE
After returning to WWE, things were the same for Show. He won some World Titles, had some good matches and big moments, turned face and heel more times than you can count, and had to be the brunt of the joke in several comedy segments and rivalries. As time wore on, so did his body, and he became less and less of a frequent performer, only wrestling a handful of matches in 2018, zero in 2019, and just a few in 2020. In addition, he was barely being used on TV, and when he was, he was often embarrassed and made to lose.
RELATED: Why The Rock Left The WWE For Hollywood, Explained
After some contractual discussions, Show and WWE failed to agree terms in 2020. This, coupled with Show having some frustrations creatively, led to him deciding to seek new pastures. In an interview with Inside the Ropes, Show explained how he felt like he had much more left to offer in WWE, and despite appreciating the brilliance of Vince McMahon, he felt as though he was being overlooked. Since then, Big Show has joined AEW where he has been given the chance to work on commentary on Dark Elevation, in addition to wrestling a few matches here and there. Once again though, he has had to fight through several injuries, which have kept him out the ring.
